PROCEDURE

Typically, I do portraits based on an initial sitting.  Usually this requires a morning or an afternoon, sometimes both.  I take digital photographs, sometimes video (to capture subtle mannerisms and expressions) and may do a preliminary drawing or color study as time permits.  Where a child is involved, I ask that the parents prepare for me a one paragraph description of their child, and what they would like to preserve about their child’s personality before the scheduled sitting date. This helps me define the objective to be achieved within the portrait. 

While I always use photographs for reference, I typically do not paint from a particular photograph presented to me unless I believe the photograph will make a good painted portrait. Even in that instance, I still request an initial sitting.  Working from life simply provides the critical information regarding lillumination and animation that is simply not available from the flattening and lifeless effect of a photograph. I have done a number of posthumous portraits and will freely work from a large number of photographs and rely on significant input and collaboration with the client to get things correct.  I believe the privilege of such a trust in the artist requires added responsibility to get it right.